Puget Sound longshore workers are experiencing a strong rebound. This photo was submitted by Seattle longshore worker Curt Treadwell. Submit your waterfront photos to longshorenews (at) gmail.com.

Containerized imports at the Port of Seattle exploded last month, increasing 93.3 percent compared to June of 2009. The 88,763 TEUs recorded in June were the highest [...]]]>

Puget Sound longshore workers are experiencing a strong rebound. This photo was submitted by Seattle longshore worker Curt Treadwell. Submit your waterfront photos to longshorenews (at) gmail.com.

Containerized imports at the Port of Seattle exploded last month, increasing 93.3 percent compared to June of 2009. The 88,763 TEUs recorded in June were the highest tally for imports so far this year, and were far higher than any monthly total recorded in 2009. Contributing to the unusually large increase was a new service by CMA CGM and Maersk Line that was introduced last summer.

Imports are increasing strongly at the Puget Sound ports. Tacoma recorded a 21 percent increase in imports in June.

From the Journal of Commerce

CMA CGM, which began talks with creditors in September, needs the reorganization to avoid insolvency after breaching covenants on [...]]]> CMA CGM SA, the French shipper reorganizing 5.4 billion euros ($7 billion) of debt, is seeking to put together a new investor group by a July 26 court deadline, said people with direct knowledge of the matter.

CMA CGM, which began talks with creditors in September, needs the reorganization to avoid insolvency after breaching covenants on most of its debt.

It remains unclear whether CMA CGM will be able to reach an agreement with investors before a hearing next week at the Paris court overseeing the reorganization, the people said. CMA CGM could also seek to extend the deadline.

From Bloomberg News

The ‘Roadability Law’ as it is often referred to, has cause several leading shipping companies to withdraw the provision of the trailer chassis’ required in intermodal movements. Previously hauliers could collect both their designated container plus the trailer on [...]]]>

Chassis will no longer be provided by several major carriers due to new rules on safety.

The ‘Roadability Law’ as it is often referred to, has cause several leading shipping companies to withdraw the provision of the trailer chassis’ required in intermodal movements. Previously hauliers could collect both their designated container plus the trailer on which to haul it from the same source, needing only to provide truck and driver.

Now with the new rules being implemented several of the larger shipping lines have ceased providing chassis or skeletal trailers as they are known, citing the stringent safety and bookkeeping requirements necessary under the regulations. Atlantic Container Line (ACL), Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) and CMA CGM have all stopped providing the service already or are in the process of doing so, and more companies may follow.

From the Handy Shipping Guide

On Dec. 17, 2009, FMCSA began [...]]]> Late last week, shipping giants NYK Line and Evergreen announced they would stop providing chassis for cargo container units in the U.S. – effectively requiring truck owners to rent or own their own chassis. The announcements came in the weeks after similar news from shipping giants CMA CGM and OOCL.

On Dec. 17, 2009, FMCSA began enforcement of its “roadability rule,” which requires intermodal providers only offer roadworthy and compliant chassis to drivers.

From Landline Magazine, July 19, 2010

Effective from July 16th on a weekly basis, these new calls will provide new calls to the Colombian and Venezuelan markets for CMA CGM’s US East [...]]]> The CMA CGM Group has announced the introduction of two new calls in Cartagena (Colombia) and Puerto Cabello (Venezuela) on its BLACK PEARL service linking North America to Jamaica (Kingston).

Effective from July 16th on a weekly basis, these new calls will provide new calls to the Colombian and Venezuelan markets for CMA CGM’s US East Coast and Canadian customers as well as faster transit times between East Coast North America and Colombia/Venezuela (New York – Puerto Cabello, 14 days and Halifax – Cartagena, 8 days). In response to the growing demand on this trade, CMA CGM will provide a fleet of 4 1,300 TEU vessels.

From Transport Intelligence, July 12, 2010

The latest deliveries to be announced are to the CMA CGM Group, which has taken delivery of the CMA CGM LAMARTINE (6,500 TEU) and CMA CGM CALLISTO (11,400 TEU) in [...]]]> Laid-up container vessels are beginning to return to service and new deliveries are being accepted in a sign that international trade is slowly recovering.

The latest deliveries to be announced are to the CMA CGM Group, which has taken delivery of the CMA CGM LAMARTINE (6,500 TEU) and CMA CGM CALLISTO (11,400 TEU) in South Korea. Both were built by Hanjin Heavy Industries.

From Transport and Logistics News

The eco-friendly Figaro reflects a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes anti-fouling paint, reduced fuel consumption and [...]]]> The 8,500-TEU Figaro that arrived in Los Angeles this week on its maiden voyage is not only the largest CMA CGM container ship to call at a U.S. port, it is also one of the most environmentally-friendly vessels afloat.

The eco-friendly Figaro reflects a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes anti-fouling paint, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, an advanced waste management system and an oil recovery system that captures hydro-carbons, said Frank Baragona, President of CMA CGM (America).

From the Journal of Commerce, July 1, 2010